Rio set for Olympic transformation, says top official

Rio de Janeiro will be transformed by the 2016 Olympic Games like no other host city before it, the head of the local organizing committee said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Carlos Nuzman pointed to new urban mobility projects and the revitalized port region as examples of the Games' legacy.

Among previous cities to have been revitalized by the Olympics are Barcelona (1992) and Tokyo (1964).

But Nuzman said the impact on Rio would be even greater, adding the city's residents stood to benefit most.

"Rio will be the Olympic city with the greatest transformation," he said. "It's very clear, and it's the opinion of many people," he said. "Rio's a completely new city, completely different."

The comments come amid continued concerns about pollution in Guanabara Bay, which will host sailing events.

Despite the slow pace of clean-up work, the government says it remains on target to remove 80 percent of waste flowing into the bay before the Games.

Controversy has also surrounded the Olympic golf course, which is being built next to a nature reserve.

"They (the state government) are doing it, giving their best, making the effort to clean up the bay," Nuzman said.

"Our expectations and trust are that we will have the bay and its waters ready to host the athletes from the entire world." Endi